Devon & Cornwall Police launch neighbourhood policing operation

Devon & Cornwall Police has launched a new neighbourhood policing operation. Operation Loki features targeted neighbourhood policing across the Force’s Safer Streets funded areas.

Each local policing area will have the opportunity to show how national investment from the Safer Streets Fund is helping the local community.

The Safer Streets Fund is a Home Office fund which allows public services to invest in crime prevention initiatives. Devon & Cornwall Police is using Safer Streets funds to reduce community concerns on a local level in specific areas.

Operation Loki launches in Torquay with Exeter, Barnstaple, Plymouth, Truro and Falmouth starting the operation in subsequent weeks.

The operation will run for four weeks in each area and showcase a range of policing tactics, from ‘pop up’ police stations, high-visibility patrols, traffic operations, surveys, test purchases of age-restricted products, and community engagement by the diverse communities team, police support volunteers, Volunteer Police Cadets, and chaplaincy.

Deputy Chief Constable Jim Colwell said: “The issues in the Safer Streets areas are as unique as the communities that live there. Each local policing area has tailored their activities to target specific local issues, including violence against women and girls, the evening and night-time economy and anti-social behaviour.

“We know that these concerns are felt in neighbourhoods across Devon and Cornwall, not just in the Safer Streets areas. The lessons we learn from this operation will help us develop plans to tackle these issues across the Force.”

Acting Chief Superintendent Ed Wright, South Devon Commander, said: “The increased activity for South Devon starting today is centred around specific concerns from the public about areas in Torquay town centre and the misuse of use of alcohol, illegal drugs, shoplifting and anti-social behaviour.

“Our Torquay neighbourhood teams will be visible in key areas around the town centre with an increased officer presence every day, in addition to our usual operations and patrols. Valuable feedback and reports from residents and businesses have informed the planning for our policing response.

“This month is also about increased public engagement and officers will also be around to listen to local people in Torquay about their concerns. If you see one of our pop-up engagement locations, please do stop by and have a chat. What we learn in the next few weeks will help us be even better informed about how we can be proactive in dealing with the challenge of anti-social behaviour in Torbay.”

Alison Hernandez, Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, said: “Op Loki shows that the force is prepared to invest considerable resources in tackling the police and crime plan priorities of reducing violence, drug use and antisocial behaviour.

“This shows commitment to working with partners including my office who have been successful in securing millions of pounds worth of additional money from the Home Office’s Safer Streets funding stream for communities around Devon and Cornwall.”